Afire Love (A Draco Malfoy Fanfiction)

Everything Has Changed

    Wand? Check. Robes? Check. Parchment? Check. Cauldron? Check. Books? Check. Ellie Patrick had looked over her school supply list for the twenty-third time before heading to King's Cross station.

"Have you got everything, Ellie?"

"Yes Aunt Margaret," The red headed girl chuckled. "I've looked over the list about a hundred times."

"We're just checking, love" called her Uncle Charlie from the driver's seat.

I don't think I'll ever get used to the driver being on the right side, Ellie thought to herself.

    Ellie was on her way to board a train on Platform 9 3/4, which would take her to her new school, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. She would be starting her 6th year, and she was fairly nervous. Ellie, an American, had just moved to England only a month before to live with her godparents following the unexplained death of her parents. Since their death, Ellie's usually sparkling blue-green eyes had lost their twinkle, her warm skin had grown paler, and the sweet, approachable girl her aunt and uncle once knew had been replaced by a cold and distant stranger.

"Ellie, we love you so very much," said her aunt warmly. Ellie moved her eyes from the window to look at her aunt and uncle through the rear view mirror and replied truthfully:

"I love you too, guys."

A long time passed before the car pulled to a stop at the train station.

"Well, here we are, love," Said her uncle cheerfully. "Let's grab your trunk! Marge, will you get her owl?"

"I've got it Aunt Margaret, don't worry!"

After walking trough the throngs of people, they finally reached platform nine. Puzzled, Ellie looked around for a 9 3/4 sign.

"So, where exactly is Platform 9 3/4?" Inquired Ellie.

Her aunt and uncle, being Hogwarts alumni, exchanged a glance and smiled.

"Just run straight at the wall between platforms nine and ten," answered her uncle. "Marge, how about you go first to demonstrate?"

After watching her aunt run effortlessly through the wall, Ellie decided she'd go next.

"Ready dear?", Asked her uncle as he placed his between her shoulder blades.

"Ready." Replied his goddaughter.

    As Ellie jogged towards the wall, she was flooded with emotions. Grief from her parents' death, anxiety for the upcoming school year, and excitement for the new experience. When she passed through the wall, she was taken aback. In front of her stood a beautiful Victorian locomotive. Hundreds of young witches and wizards and their parents scurried about like ants. She looked to her left and a black haired boy caught her eye. As he turned around, she recognized him as Harry Potter. She had seen his picture in The Daily Prophet many times before. Even in America, his was a household name.

    She was stuck out of her daze when her uncle made his way onto the platform.

"This is it, Ellie." He said.

"It's even more beautiful than I imagined." She replied in awe.

"Just wait until you get to Hogwarts," said her aunt. "You'll just die, it's gorgeous."

She felt a loving hand on her shoulder, and as she turned her head, her eyes were met with her aunt's tear-filled ones.

"I wish they were here to see this," her aunt said, referring to her own sister and her husband. "They would be so proud."